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On October 2, the opening plenary session of the 7th Summit of the European Political Community is underway in Copenhagen, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is attending the event.

Eight sports competitions are scheduled for October 2 as part of the third CIS Games in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

The events will include chovqan (Kyrgyzstan-Kuwait, Kazakhstan-Turkiye) in Shaki, trampoline gymnastics (first medalists will be determined), and badminton (Russia-Uzbekistan mixed teams final) in Gabala.

In Ganja, the Azerbaijani men’s volleyball team will face Uzbekistan at 18:30.

Moreover, fencing and swimming competitions will take place in the city.

In Yevlakh, boxing events will be held, while archery competitions will take place in Khankandi.

Azerbaijan is hosting the third Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Games from September 28 to October 8, 2025, marking a significant event in the region’s sports calendar.

This multi-sport competition brings together athletes from CIS member states and invited countries, aiming to promote friendship, cooperation, and athletic excellence.

For the first time in the history of the CIS Games, competitions are being held across seven cities in Azerbaijan: Ganja, Mingachevir, Gabala, Shaki, Goygol, Yevlakh, and Khankandi.

Each city hosts events in different sports, with the second-largest city, Ganja, serving as the main hub and officially designated the CIS Sports Capital for 2025.

Around 23 sports are being contested across 12 venues, highlighting a broad and inclusive athletic program.

A total of 1,624 athletes from 13 countries had confirmed participation. Event mascots Babir and Leyla are helping to generate enthusiasm among young fans.

Since the signing of the transit agreement on the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline route, the subsidiaries of KazMunayGas and SOCAR-Kazmortransflot and ASCO-have jointly transported approximately 3.4 million tons of Kazakh oil on a parity basis, Azernews reports.

This achievement was highlighted during a meeting in Astana between the Chairman of the Management Board of KazMunayGas, Askhat Khasenov, and the President of SOCAR, Rovshan Najaf.

At the talks, the parties reviewed the current state and future prospects of hydrocarbon transportation, as well as cooperation in digitalization and industrial safety.

It was emphasized that within the framework of quadrilateral memorandums signed between KazMunayGas, SOCAR, Tatneft, and Uzbekneftegaz, specialists are actively exchanging experience on the application of digital solutions in production. In addition, the companies are jointly implementing measures to improve occupational safety and ensure rapid response to man-made emergencies.

KazMunayGas reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation with SOCAR, aimed at developing the transit potential of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, as well as expanding Kazakhstan’s oil exports to international markets.

On October 1, a banquet was hosted in Copenhagen on behalf of King Frederik X and Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the event.

Azerbaijan actively participated in the VII International Transport and Logistics Business Forum ‘New Silk Road,’ held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport.

The Azerbaijani delegation was led by Deputy Minister Rahman Hummatov. The discussions at the international forum focused on strengthening transport cooperation, developing transnational corridors, and unlocking the logistics potential of the region.

Within the framework of the forum, a panel session on ‘Transport connectivity and synchronization of transport corridors’ was organized, along with the VIII meeting of transport ministers of the Organization of Turkic States. In addition, the heads of delegations of the countries along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, Middle Corridor) convened for a dedicated meeting.

The event concluded with the signing of a number of important agreements aimed at improving regional transport infrastructure. These included an Action Plan to eliminate bottlenecks in the railway segment of the TITR, a protocol on the meeting of delegations regarding the Trans-Caspian route, and a communiqué summarizing the results of the VIII meeting of OTS transport ministers.

The forum once again underlined the strategic role of the Middle Corridor as a vital Eurasian route linking China, Central Asia, and Europe, and highlighted Azerbaijan’s role as a key participant in regional transport connectivity initiatives.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s initiatives to improve the quality of education extend beyond the capital to include Azerbaijan’s regions. In Samux district, the renovation of Aliusagi village secondary school had become necessary, as the original building, constructed in 1953, had fallen into disrepair over the decades.

In 2024, the Foundation began construction of a new school with a capacity for 360 students. The three-story facility consists of four separate blocks and is equipped with classrooms, physics, chemistry, and biology laboratories, an IT room, a STEAM center, and specialized spaces for military training, medical education, and vocational training. It also includes a kindergarten classroom, library, dining hall, assembly and sports halls, along with an outdoor sports field.

The school is fully furnished and equipped with educational tools and teaching aids for all subject areas and laboratories.

Under the leadership of Azerbaijan’s First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s efforts to construct new educational institutions and renovate schools that have become unfit for use complement the state’s education policy, helping to provide the younger generation with a high-quality, knowledge-based learning environment.

The President of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation, Mahir Mammadov, has met with the members of the women’s national chess team, Azernews reports.

President of Azerbaijan Chess Federation Mahir Mammadov expressed interest in the team’s preparations for the upcoming European Team Championship, which will take place in Batumi in a few days, and wished the Azerbaijani team success.

The meeting was attended by the First Vice-President of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation, Faiq Hasanov, the national team captain, Ilaha Gadimova, and coaches Nijat Abasov and Gadir Huseynov.

The Azerbaijani women’s team includes Ulviyya Fataliyeva, Govhar Beydullayeva, Gulnar Mammadova, Khanim Balajayeva, and Ayan Allahverdiyeva.

The continental championship will begin on October 5.

The European Team Chess Championship will take place in Batumi, Georgia, from October 4 to 15.

The event features separate Open and Women’s sections, with each competition consisting of 9 rounds played under a Swiss system.

The 2025 European Team Chess Championship will showcase 75 teams, including 39 in the Open tournament and 36 in the Women’s Championship.

The Chairman of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) Somalia Business Council and the Somali Representative of Albayrak Group, Ahmet Sami Isler, along with the Director of Mogadishu Port, Umut Yurdakul, shared their assessments on the company’s activities and the strategic importance of the port.

Isler recalled that Albayrak Group entered Somalia following President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s historic visit to the country in 2011. He emphasized that their initial goal was humanitarian.

‘At that time, Somalia was in a very difficult situation, facing a crisis due to drought. We said, let us not work only for short-term relief, but let’s create something permanent,’ Isler explained.

He noted that the group began restoration work at Mogadishu Port, the country’s main gateway. ‘We have been operating this port for about eleven years now. We have invested in every way possible. We believe we have made a strong contribution to the state. We are satisfied with Somalia, and hopefully Somalia is satisfied with us. We have become closely identified with the country,’ he said.

Isler also recalled that in 2012 the group rebuilt a collapsed hospital, transforming it into the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Training and Research Hospital, one of Africa’s largest and most advanced. The hospital was inaugurated in 2015 with the presence of President Erdogan.

He added that Albayrak Group was honored to construct Trkiye’s largest embassy complex abroad, the Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu, which began in 2014 and was completed in 2016. The company has also undertaken the construction of the Somali Presidential Complex. ‘We did everything possible to contribute to this project, building it for the President, the Somali state, and its people,’ Isler stressed.

Highlighting the importance of Mogadishu Port as the country’s trade lifeline, Isler stated that about 70 percent of Somalia’s imports now come from Trkiye, whereas in the past goods had been sourced largely from China and the United Arab Emirates. The trade volume between Trkiye and Somalia has reached half a billion dollars, he said, with the aim of further growth.

However, Isler pointed to difficulties with visas and residence permits. ‘If these problems are not resolved, we risk losing our commercial gains over time. Serious responsibilities fall on our leaders, political representatives, ministers, and embassies to address this,’ he noted, adding that Somalis also face similar challenges in Trkiye.

Acknowledging Somalia’s security issues, Isler remarked that opportunities come with risks: ‘Where there is risk, there is also potential. For those who know how to take risks, there are great opportunities here.’

Addressing global business leaders, Isler urged: ‘Everything comes from outside. There are no factories here, no investments, no tourism. To revive these sectors, entrepreneurs are needed. Somalis expect this from us. We tell Turkish businesspeople: ‘Come to Somalia, see it for yourself. If you are willing to take risks, opportunities await.”

Mogadishu Port Director Umut Yurdakul underlined that this is the capital’s only and largest entry port. With almost no domestic production, nearly all of Somalia’s needs pass through the port. He noted that Turkish products have declined somewhat in recent years due to shifting global logistics routes and wars, yet Trkiye remains Somalia’s largest supplier, alongside imports from India, China, and the Middle East.

He added that goods also reach Somalia through neighboring Kenya via transit trade. Construction of Mogadishu Port began in 1973 and continued in stages until 1983. However, it was closed from 1991, when civil war broke out, until 2006. ‘During that period, Somalis were cut off from both goods and developments around the world,’ Yurdakul explained.

Later, measures were taken to boost trade and improve living conditions. ‘The most important of these measures was this port. It was essential for humanitarian aid to reach Somalia and for trade to continue,’ Yurdakul stressed.

He recalled that Albayrak Group took over management and modernization of the port through a concession agreement signed at the end of 2014. ‘With our work, we have tried to bring the port to international standards. Today, we provide services at that level. Once this was proven, global companies embraced this port. In a sense, Somalia reopened to the world thanks to this port,’ he said.

Yurdakul also emphasized the country’s weak road and rail links, underscoring that Mogadishu Port remains the only point capable of sustaining the entire nation. Somalia’s 3,300 kilometers of coastline hosts scattered settlements, with small local ports serving some areas, but none match Mogadishu’s capacity. Even in Somaliland, the large port on the Gulf of Aden does not rival Mogadishu’s scale.

‘Products entering here are distributed all across the country. Our port also serves as a collection hub,’ Yurdakul explained. The port spans 350,000 square meters and is served by three of the world’s largest container lines.

He concluded by noting that all foodstuffs, as well as cement and steel used in Somalia’s reconstruction, pass through Mogadishu Port. ‘It is truly the country’s lifeline,’ Yurdakul said.

On October 2, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Giorgia Meloni, President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, on the sidelines of the 7th European Political Community Summit in Copenhagen, Azernews reports.

The sides noted the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Italy within the framework of a comprehensive strategic partnership. In this regard, they highlighted the recent successful official visit of the Italian President to Azerbaijan, which included the inauguration of the first campus of the Italy-Azerbaijan University in Baku.

The meeting also addressed the successful energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy, underlining Azerbaijan’s contribution to Italy’s energy security. The sides hailed the expansion of cooperation in investments, culture, humanitarian affairs, and other areas.

A ceremony was held to mark the installation of the first solar panel at the Bilasuvar Solar Power Plant, a major renewable energy project with a planned capacity of 445 megawatts, Azernews reports.

The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including Head of Bilasuvar District Executive Authority Faiq Qurbanov, Director of the Azerbaijan Renewable Energy Agency (AREA) Javid Abdullayev, Deputy Chairman of ‘Azerenerji’ OJSC Rustam Gasimov, Chief Operating Officer of ‘Masdar’ Abdulaziz Alobaidli, and CEO of SOCAR Green Elmir Musayev. Each delivered opening remarks at the ceremony.

Following the speeches, VIP guests symbolically participated in the installation of the first panel and signed commemorative solar panels to mark the occasion.

Two specially designated commemorative panels were also showcased during the ceremony. These were signed by attending dignitaries and will remain on display as a symbolic representation of the project’s launch. Group photos were taken as part of the formal proceedings.

Officials from the Ministry of Energy and the Bilasuvar District Executive Authority were also present at the event.

The Bilasuvar Solar Power Plant spans a total area of 1,400 hectares. It will feature over 943,000 bifacial solar panels manufactured by China’s JA Solar, capable of generating electricity from both sides. The high-efficiency panels, each with a capacity of 625-630 watts, will be delivered and installed in stages.

The plant will be equipped with 8,131 single-axis tracking systems to optimize solar energy capture throughout the day. Once operational, panel cleaning will be performed automatically using specialized equipment.

The solar power plant is scheduled to be commissioned next year.